The best plate – and chile relleno – I have ever had in a Tex-Mex joint, anywhere. Look at those beans.
Meet Oscar Gutierrez, whose team has been making the best Tex-Mex in America for years and years. And Oscar is one of the finest men you’ll encounter this side of Heaven or Hell.
There is a small restaurant in Huntsville, Alabama, whose kitchen is the source of some of the best Tex-Mex food in America. To my palate, it is better than anything Tex-Mex I have tasted in The Lone Star State thus far.
The original Bandito Burrito opened in 1990, and it is owned and operated by Mr. Oscar Gutierrez. Along with Asador Extebarri and Restaurante Arzak (and seven other excellent kitchens), Bandito Burrito is on the Brockhaus List of the 10 Best Restaurants in the World. Mr. Gutierrez has been at his craft for many years, and those countless hours of experience shine through in his food, which people clamor for daily. When I lived in Huntsville it was not uncommon for me to eat at the Bandito four times a week. Sometimes five.
Refried beans. Those two words speak of paradise, and if you like this staple of Tex-Mex, you will, after trying the beans at Bandito Burrito, never be happy with any other examples. Creamy, rich, soft, these beans made in Alabama are supreme.
Chile rellenos (my favorite anywhere, never greasy, always light, and perfectly cooked), enchiladas, tamales, and burritos are also, of course, on the menu here. And as with the refried beans, Oscar’s tomato salsa is some of the best I have tasted. Ample cilantro, the right amount of heat, and a few secret touches combine for bowls of salsa that call for mail-order. (And I would add to my shipment my favorite Bandito plate, the Juan Beeg Dinner, which includes an enchilada, a tamale, that perfect chile relleno, and rice and beans. All for $9.99.)
I miss the food at Bandito Burrito; indeed, it is one of the few restaurants in the world whose tastes I love to summon to my mind on a regular basis. And that gives me a grand idea: I am going to have Oscar visit me in Houston … and I’ll arrange for him to teach some people here how to cook some kick-ass refried beans and chile rellenos.
sad sad sad, no accolades for the Green Bean Burrito ….
Yesssssss – green bean burrito forever! I miss it so much, and glut myself on green bean burritos and pork Mexican tacos each time I visit Huntsville.
That was the first thing on my list.
Chuck, I could write volumes about the Green Bean Burrito, and the Bean Burrito. and the chips. Space, and mainly time, did not permit.
1990? Really? I thought I went there in 1988 or 1989. There was a band playing. That is all I remember.
Let’s figure this out!
Born in Huntsville. Every time I go and visit, I make sure I get some Bandito to bring home! Doesn’t last very long 😛
Guess that makes Bandito Southside the next best. 🙂
Congrats Bandito Burrito!
I live in San Antonio and still can’t find Tex Mex as good as Bandito’s.
I can’t believe you didn’t mention my all-time Bandito staple – THE BANDITO BURGER!!!!! It’s a MUST – HAVE EVERY time!!! WAY TO GO OSCAR!!!! Love that man!!!
I have lived in Huntsville my whole life, and love the beans and Chile rellenos at Bandito.
Oscar always makes you feel welcome. The one at Governors has always been my favorite. 🙂
I remember eating at a Bandito located on S parkway about where whitesburg branches off to the N. I think it’s a pawn shop now- but I thought it was the first Bandito location. Anyone remember? Awesome food, and tiny shop.
Governor’s was the first location. Funny how the passage of time makes things legendary—one of the originals from the beginning with Oscar 😉
Govenor’s Drive came firstby a couple of years.
I remember that spot, Luci! It either pre-dated or was opened around the same time as the Governor’s location. I’m eating at Bandito tonight, and plan on trying the plate Brock has suggested. I usually order the green bean burritos only, because I love them so much.
Oh wow, oh wow sooo delish lokonig! I love corn salsa salads! I’ve always been intimidated to try cooking my own flank steak, but maybe I’ll pick one up at the grocery store next week?? Great post!
Can we open a Bandito in Atlanta?! I’ve been in love with Oscar for the 20 years I’ve worked for him. I worked at Governors, Southside, and Madison. Keep it going Oscar! Let me know if I can help.
And who’s to mention the No Carne burrito…and the Supa Nachos?! Best…restaurant…ever!!! XOXO
Grande burrito and a green bean extra Sauce 🙂 from all the skaters who love you thank you for everything!
The food is gray love the burritos, expecially there bean. Great steak burritos. He welcomes everyone, as they were family. Been eating there scene they opened. And yes the family and friends had band on weekends. Would recommend it to anyone.My whole family loves it.
There was the “fork” in the road that lead to Wheatherly Rd and Bandito in the south location. I have searched for any place that could even come close to their “Super Nachos” and all have failed. There was something about the sour cream that stuck on the underside of the styrofoam lid that let you know it was going to be good. And then there was the tamales.
I used to live in Huntsville and went to Bandita since it opened. I knew Oscar from his cooking from another restaurant and was happy to see him open his own place. I CRAVE his food but I am in CA now 🙁
I LOVE Bandito Burrito! It is the one place I have to go eat when visiting my Aunt and cousins in Huntsville. The refried beans are addictive, and although I live four hours away from Huntsville in the mountains of Western North Carolina, I am considering getting in the car and driving for those beans!
Yes, I crave them all the time!
our favorite mexican place too! Each time we go to Huntsville, Bandito Burrito is a must! no carne Burrito and the vegetarian tamales! xoxoxoxoxox
I am from Huntsville and live in Houston, and I would be ecstatic for a Bandito location anywhere in the area. I’d drive across town for it and that’s like driving to Birmingham in Hsv terms. It is something I always try to have when I go back home to visit.
YES ! YES! YES! AND WE OWN A T SHIRT!
Back in the day (late 80’s) when I was finishing up High School and immediately after, I worked in the kitchen of another restaurant (I shall not name) with Oscar. I remember many a time he told me about his dream of opening his own restaurant someday…….”Bandito Burrito” he would say…….
The rest, is history…
Bandito has been a staple diet for Huntsville’s NASA rocket scientists for over 25 years. Awesome to see Oscar and his tribe get the rcognition they deserve!
When I worked at Jerry Damson Honda I was in here 2 and 3 times a week
Huntsville native now living in Austin, TX and I could not agree more! I love Bandito Burrito!
My all time favorite! I grew up in Detroit with Mexican friends with Mexican families who spoke Spanish at home. Bandito Burrito is my taste of home. I go there every Tuesday. I love the tostadas and the rice…..a part of home here in Huntsville!
Wow I miss Oscar’s place